Sometimes thought of as the single most important person in career of artiste. A good manager can expand an artiste’s career to its maximum potential - a bad one can rocket an artist to oblivion. What they generally do is most of the things the artist either can't be bothered to do or doesn't know how to do - they do these things usually in exchange for a percentage of the artist's earnings, this is called commission.
A few of the roles of the typical manager include...Helping with career decisions - which record deal? Which publishing deal? How much etc.?
Helping with the creative process - selecting a producer, deciding which songs to perform/record, selecting photographers or band members etc.
Promotion by hyping to everyone - helping co-ordinate publicity campaign, etc.
Assembling and heading professional team - introducing lawyers, business managers and agents, etc. - overseeing their work.
Coordinating tours by working with agents to make the best deals. Hounding the record company of the artiste - coordinating record company advertising and marketing campaign for artiste’s records - making sure these are treated as priorities by the record company, criticising and praising.
Generally being a buffer between the artiste and the outside world.
Managers typically get between 15% and 20% of artist’s gross earnings with the majority earning 15%.However, during touring this 15% means more than you might think. If the artist is a band with five or more members, the manager’s 15% could easily be more than any member’s share.
First issue is the manager’s percentage. Most try to keep it to 15%, although some managers might argue that the risk of taking on a new act is worth 20%. It is possible to arrange the deal so that it starts at 20% then changes to 15% after a certain time or when a certain amount has been earned. Sometimes managers earn a percentage of net as opposed to gross, which is better for the artiste. Net deals sometimes mean the